LaRue Kunz Morris (1921-2012) Obituary

LaRue Kunz Morris (1921-2012) Obituary

LaRue Kunz Morris, our beloved Mother, Grandmother, and friend rejoined her husband and family on Wednesday November 21, 2012. She was attempting to recover from heart and lung issues at IMC hospital that had rapidly progressed over the last several months. LaRue was born on September 18, 1921 to Hyrum S. and Leah Jacobson Kunz in Sharon, Idaho.

LaRue's early life was unique in that her family spent a number of summers at Utah national parks and monuments as well as Grand Canyon. Her father worked as a construction supervisor for the park lodges that were being built by the Union Pacific Railroad. LaRue's many and varied experiences were well known among her posterity. Her high school and college days were spent in Manti and St. George where she met her husband Richard (Dick) Morris and they were married in the St. George Temple December 2, 1941. Dick and LaRue briefly lived in Las Vegas until Dick went into the Navy as a result of the World War II conflict. LaRue moved back to Cedar City to stay with her parents where their first child was born. Following Dick's return, LaRue and Dick moved to Pocatello Idaho where Dick completed his degree in Pharmacy at ISU and their first daughter was born. The trail then lead to Cedar City for the start of a long run in the Drug Store business and two additions to the family. LaRue constructed many 4th of July float entries for Cedar Drug and for the Ward. She was parade chairman for several years.

LaRue and Dick loved the outdoors and enjoyed gathering fire wood in their spare time. Visits to Cedar Breaks cabin constructed by her father along with Easter outings with the children and grandchildren were activities that she greatly enjoyed. Of course she was a great cook and for many years the family looked forward to Thanksgiving at LaRue's. She counted quilting, knitting and crouching as her hobbies and the resulting works were prized by the kids and grandkids. Her expertise landed her the job of quilting chairmen on several occasions. She was an accomplished seamstress who could sew a fine dress as easily as upholster a chair. For a time LaRue and Dick enjoyed joining forces with Evelyn (her sister) and York Jones in a couples bowling league. The team had a blast kicking the butts of the younger couples and accumulating the trophies. She was always a strong competitor whether it was the bridge club or the trial of life.

LaRue was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She held a number of positions, including Relief Society President, Primary President, Young Women's president, Temple worker and extraction leader.

Her later years were spent with family in Sandy and Spanish Fork, but she greatly missed her home on Juniper Dr. in Cedar City. Her great persistence and love of family was an enabler to her position as the longest living member of her family.

Funeral services will be held Monday, Nov. 26, 2012 at 11:00 am at the LDS Cedar View Chapel (320 South 1925 West Cedar City, Utah). Friends may visit Sunday, Nov. 25, 2012 from 6:00-8:00 pm at Southern Utah Mortuary (190 North 300 West Cedar City, Utah) and Monday from 9:30 - 10:30 am at the LDS Cedar View Chapel (320 South 1925 West Cedar City, Utah). Interment will be held in the Cedar City Cemetery under the direction of Southern Utah Mortuary. Online condolences can be sent to www.sumortuary.com.

Published in The Spectrum & Daily News from November 24 to November 25, 2012